Director Financial Accounting

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

WPP stands for creative transformation. With the power of creativity, we shape a better future for our employees, our clients, our communities, and our planet. This is exactly where WPP Media comes in: As WPP's global media network, we combine the best platforms, talent, and partners to create new opportunities for boundless growth in a connected media world.

What we offer you:

• Work-Life-Balance: Thanks to flexible working hours with a focus on personal exchange in the office and supplementary remote work, your job adapts to your life. You can flexibly compensate for overtime.
• Vacation mode on: You receive 30 vacation days plus a flexible day – additionally, December 24th and 31st are days off.
• Wellbeing first: Health benefits, attractive retirement provisions, and Mental Health Awareness Days focus on your health.
• Practice makes perfect: Develop yourself with our diverse further training opportunities and utilize our internal career programs for your development within the WPP network.
• More than just a job: Unforgettable events, employee discounts, and other highlights such as the Job Ticket, Wellhub, or the Job Bike await you.
• Be yourself: Everyone is welcome here – diversity and equal opportunities are important to us.

What you will achieve:

As Director Financial Accounting, you will be responsible for the operational, technical, and disciplinary management of the entire accounting department for our media agencies as well as the holding companies of WPP Media. As a proactive personality, you will drive the digitalization and optimization of our financial processes and act as a trusted point of contact for management, auditors, and internal stakeholders.

• Leadership: You are responsible for the technical and disciplinary leadership as well as the continuous development of the Financial Accounting team.
• Operational Accounting: You are responsible for ensuring the correct representation of all scalable business transactions in accounting for all supported agencies and holding entities. Continuous monitoring and quality assurance during processing in sub-ledgers, as well as steering and approval of national and international payment transactions are part of your responsibilities.
• Closings & Compliance: You are responsible for the coordination and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements according to both national law and international standards.
• Audits: You will also accompany and handle annual financial statement audits and ensure compliance with SOX audits. You also act as a point of contact for banks, tax advisors, and auditors.
• Processes, Policies & Projects: You will lead projects for the optimization, standardization, and digitalization of accounting processes and system landscapes.

What sets you apart:

• Education & Professional Experience: You have successfully completed a business degree with a focus on finance, accounting, controlling, or a commercial apprenticeship with successful further training as a Certified Public Accountant (IHK) or a comparable qualification. You have several years of solid professional experience in finance and accounting, ideally in an agency environment, in a holding structure, or in an internationally active group.
• Team Leadership: You have several years of leadership experience and strong motivational skills.
• Technical Qualification: You possess excellent, balance-sheet-confident knowledge of accounting according to HGB and IFRS, as well as current tax law, and experience with control frameworks (e.g., SOX, IKS).
• IT & System Knowledge: You have sound user knowledge of modern ERP systems, ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, as well as proficient use of payment and travel expense management systems, especially Windata and SAP Concur. You have expert-level MS Excel skills.
• Working Method: You demonstrate strong communication and assertiveness skills, even in an international and dynamic matrix environment. You also have strong analytical and process-oriented thinking skills.
• Language Skills: Your German and English skills are negotiation-level fluent.

In addition, you are: #motivational #solution-oriented #communicative

If you find this job exciting, we explicitly encourage you to apply, even if you do not possess every qualification listed above.

Working at WPP Media:

As WPP Media, we are shaping the future of media and consistently invest in our employees. Every colleague enjoys the benefits of the global network of WPP Media and WPP to develop further and learn at the forefront of marketing and advertising. We live diversity and cohesion through numerous Employee Resource Groups and regular internal events – for exchange, inspiration, and to celebrate our successes together.
 
WPP Media is an employer that promotes equal opportunities. We consider all applicants for all positions without discrimination. Our goal is a culture of respect and belonging, where everyone has the same opportunities to contribute and grow professionally.

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